In "Bloodline's Awakening," Luna Deveraux's life is disrupted when she unexpectedly becomes a key figure in the ancient war between vampires and slayers. Her plans for a care free life are put on hold as a mysterious virus ravages the vampire popula...
I awoke in a dimly lit, quaint cottage, the air heavy with the earthy scent of wood and the distant hum of the forest outside. Sunlight filtered through the worn curtains, casting soft, golden rays onto the simple wooden furniture. The room was adorned with rustic charm, filled with vintage knick-knacks, faded tapestries, and a small en suite
As I slowly pushed myself up from the creaky, old bed, I became aware of the pounding in my head, the remnants of a hazy, sleepless night. Confusion clouded my thoughts, and I looked down to find that I was still clad in the same jeans and dirt-caked t-shirt from the day before. I felt around for my talisman that I usually wear around my neck and tucked into my shirt. It was still there- I let out a long sigh.
My initial disorientation only deepened when I realized where I was. The telltale signs were all around me – the muffled chirping of birds, the rustling leaves, and the distant babble of a brook. I was undoubtedly in the woods, but how had I ended up here?
With cautious steps, I made my way towards the door, its peeling paint revealing years of wear. As I turned the tarnished brass knob and inched the door open, a wave of warm, inviting aromas washed over me. The scent of sizzling bacon and fresh coffee tickled my senses, and my stomach growled in response.
Stepping into what seemed to be a cozy kitchen, my eyes widened at the sight before me. There, shirtless, and standing in a rustic kitchen stood Blade. His chiseled features, raven-black hair, and piercing blue eyes were impossible to ignore, though I loathed to admit it.
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I quickly averted my gaze, feeling a rush of embarrassment flood my cheeks. But Blade, ever the enigmatic figure, couldn't resist smirking, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he sensed my unease.
"Sit down, Luna," he spoke in a voice that held a strange mixture of authority and nonchalance. "Breakfast is almost ready."
My defiance welled up, and I couldn't help but question the bizarre situation I found myself in. "Did I wake up in hell? Where am I?" My words came out sharper than intended, my anger overshadowing my discomfort.
Blade sighed, unruffled by my attitude, and leaned against the kitchen counter. "You passed out in the car last night," he explained, his voice calm and steady. "I had to make a decision. Leave you, and you would've been mated to my brother, Fang. Or bring you here and figure it out later. My home is protected by a spell that deters everyone from entering."
My curiosity got the better of me as I stole a glance at the sunlit window. "How can you be out during the day? Vampires aren't supposed to..."
Blade interrupted my question with a smirk, answering my unspoken inquiry. "Certain vampiric weaknesses don't apply to me."
Annoyance bubbled within me, and I couldn't resist asking, "You said my name earlier... how do you know my name?"
Without missing a beat, Blade tossed my phone towards me, obviously having read my texts and deduced my identity. I caught it with a scowl, my irritation growing. This surreal encounter with Blade was rapidly shifting from bizarre to infuriating as I struggled to make sense of the inexplicable situation I found myself in.
I glanced down at my phone, and my heart sank as I scrolled through a barrage of missed calls and messages from my entire family. There must've been at least a hundred attempts to reach me. Desperation clawed at me, and I picked up my phone, trying to call my father, but there was no service. Even a simple text message refused to send.
As Blade placed the steaming plate of food in front of me, he chuckled softly, watching my futile attempts to contact my family. "The spell won't allow any communication in or out," he explained casually.
My stomach dropped at the realization that I was cut off from the outside world, and my family had no way of knowing if I was okay. I sighed, a resolved determination settling in as I began to eat. Blade, on the other hand, stood in a shadowed corner of the room, his intense gaze fixed on me, making me increasingly uncomfortable.
"You don't eat?" I finally asked, attempting to divert his attention.
He smirked, a maddening tone of sarcasm in his voice. "Your blood smells heavenly from here. Would you like me to give in and try a little? I've never had slayer blood before."
I hated his sarcastic remark and the thought of him drinking my blood sent shivers down my spine. My hand instinctively went to the throbbing marks on my neck, and I asked, "Does it always hurt like this?"
Blade shook his head, his tone surprisingly serious. "No, it doesn't have to. Vampires have a numbing agent in their fangs that takes away the sting. My brother's just an asshole."
I couldn't help but cringe at the thought of Blade's brother, Fang, who had marked me against my will. "Is there any way to get rid of this horrible mark?" I asked, desperate for a solution.
Blade's expression grew grim. "The only way to remove it is to kill the person or mate with another supernatural"
I looked at him incredulously.
There had to be another way, and I pressed him further. "What if we find the actual markings of the prophecy? Could that help? We could check to see if there's an out..."
Blade nodded slowly, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "If we can locate the true markings of the prophecy, there might be a way to break the curse and free you from this predicament."
But just as I began to feel a spark of optimism, his eyes grew cold, and he questioned, "Yet, why should I even help you, Luna? What's in it for me?"
